Bison That Killed a Tourist in South Dakota Will Be Spared from Euthanization and Relocated to Tribal Land After Public

It's the state's first reported bison death in over 20 years

By Moná Thomas Published on June 18, 2026 08:35PM EDT

A bull bison that killed a 70-year-old woman at a South Dakota state park last month will not be euthanized following a large public outcry in the animal's defense.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe Game, Fish and Parks announced Wednesday, June 10, that the animal will be relocated into its care, where it will live out the rest of its life in a secure environment away from the public. The decision effectively lifted what many believed to be a looming death sentence for the bison, as reported by Cowboy State Daily.

The attack occurred in mid-May on the Grace Coolidge Trail in Custer State Park in western South Dakota, according to the Custer County Sheriff. The woman, a Canadian tourist whose name has not been released at her family's request, was hiking with her husband when a group of bull bison charged her, throwing her into the air twice. She later died from her injuries. It was the first fatal bison attack in the park in at least 21 years, the outlet previously reported.

After news of a possible kill order circulated, wildlife advocates and members of the public pushed back hard. Dave Scragg, a Custer-based wildlife photographer, encouraged his social media followers to contact the South Dakota Governor's Office and state wildlife officials directly.

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https://people.com/bison-that-killed-woman-in-south-dakota-park-will-be-relocated-not-euthanized-12002061